TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Ertuğruloğlu Emphasizes the Two-State Solution at the ECO Meeting

TRNC Minister of Foreign Affairs Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu attended the Unofficial Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Council of Foreign Ministers held in New York within the scope of the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

In his speech here, Ertuğruloğlu stated that the TRNC continues its determination to reach an agreement based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the two states on the Cyprus issue and said, "In other words, we want to say one island, two states."

'WE ARE WAITING FOR BRAVE STEPS'

Calling on ECO member countries, Ertuğruloğlu requested support to lift the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and for the TRNC to take part in international forums.

Ertuğruloğlu said, "We expect the sister member states to take bold steps towards ending the inhumane isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people. I call on the ECO member states to take the lead in supporting the legitimate expectations of the Turkish Cypriot people so that they can take their rightful place in international forums."

Stating that there are two peoples on the island, Ertuğruloğlu said, "The existence of two peoples on the island, with two different nationalities, languages ​​and religions, each with sovereignty over their own lands and their own citizens, is an undeniable fact."

Ertuğruloğlu also called on the international community and asked for the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people.

PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP MESSAGE TO ECO

Reminding that TRNC has been an observer member of the ECO since 2012, Ertuğruloğlu expressed his satisfaction with the extension of its observer status for another three years. Ertuğruloğlu requested that the status of observer members be made permanent within the scope of the reforms carried out within the ECO.